Jenson Vs GCN. Game on.

On Wednesday 8th July, Ribble's Outlier gravel rider, Jenson Young rolled out before sunrise with one goal; to catch two Global Cycling Network presenters who'd already been riding for 90 minutes.

The challenge? A brutal 360km lap of the newly designed London Orbital Gravel Route. No shortcuts. No second chances. Just endurance, determination and a lot of gravel.

360 kilometres. Two riders. A 90-minute head start. Some ideas sound sensible. This wasn't one of them.

When Jenson Young rolled away before sunrise on Wednesday 8th July, he knew exactly what lay ahead. A full lap of the newly created London Orbital Gravel Route, stretching over 360 kilometres of everything gravel riding does best – forest tracks, country lanes, punchy climbs, loose descents and plenty of moments that make you question why you signed up in the first place.

Waiting somewhere up the trail were two familiar faces from Global Cycling Network, Si Richardson and Alex Paton.

The catch? They'd already been riding for an hour and a half.

Could Jenson reel them in before the finish? That was the challenge.

This wasn't about jerseys, prize money or podiums.

It was simply two riders setting off to explore an incredible new route, with Jenson tasked with chasing them down against the clock. The beauty of the challenge was its simplicity.

Ride hard. Ride smart. See what happens.

It's the sort of idea that gravel riding seems to encourage. Equal parts adventure, endurance and good humour.

Because anyone who rides gravel knows the best days aren't always measured by average speed or personal bests. They're measured by the stories you come home with.

The London Orbital Gravel Route is no ordinary loop.

Circling the capital almost entirely off-road, it strings together woodland, bridleways, quiet tracks and hidden green spaces that many riders never realise exist just beyond the city's edge.

Over the course of a single ride, the route throws up everything from flowing gravel to technical sections, steep climbs and long stretches where it's just you, your bike and the sound of tyres rolling over loose stone.

It's demanding. It's unpredictable. And that's exactly why it appeals.

Epic rides don't happen by accident. They start with preparation, pacing and having complete confidence in your equipment.

Whether you're riding for two hours or twenty, the best bikes disappear beneath you. They let you focus on the next corner, the next climb and the next adventure rather than worrying about what the bike can handle.

That's what gravel riding has always been about for us.

Building bikes that encourage people to go further, explore more and say yes to rides they might once have thought impossible.

Because often, the biggest adventure starts with a simple question.

"I wonder if I could?"

The challenge itself is impressive. The film is even better.

Whether you're a seasoned gravel rider or simply curious about what makes this side of cycling so addictive, it's a reminder of why we ride in the first place.

Not just to get somewhere. But for everything that happens along the way.

Watch Jenson's full London Orbital Gravel challenge and see whether a 90-minute head start was enough.

Watch the film, and let us know — could you take on 360km of gravel?

Ribble Gravel

Built for long days, unpredictable terrain and the kind of adventures that start before sunrise and finish long after sunset.

Fast and confidence-inspiring on every surface. Designed for comfort over the longest distances. Built by hand in the UK and configurable to suit the way you ride.

Explore the Ribble Gravel range